The Debate Over Distributed Solar Continues Across The U.S.

Forty-two U.S. states and the District of Columbia took some form of action on distributed solar policy and rate design changes during the third quarter of this year (Q3’16), according to a new report from the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC). Of the 117 state and utility-level changes that were proposed, pending or enacted in the quarter, the report says the most common were related to residential fixed charge increases (44), followed by net metering (31), and solar valuation or net-metering studies (17).

In the latest edition of its quarterly “The 50 States of Solar” report, the NCCETC offers the following key findings of Q3’16:

– 44 utilities in 25 states plus D.C. had pending or decided requests to increase monthly fixed charges on all residential customers by at least 10%;

– 22 states considered or enacted changes to net-metering policies;

– 15 states plus D.C. formally examined or resolved to examine some element of the value of distributed generation or the costs and benefits of net metering;

– three states had policy action on third-party solar ownership laws or regulations; and

– three states had action on utility-owned rooftop solar policies or programs.

Autumn Proudlove, lead author of the report and senior policy analyst at the NCCETC, said, “We’re continuing to see more states consider changes to net-metering credit rates and, more recently, to credit rates for community solar subscribers. However, there is much debate over what these rates should be set at – proposals range from avoided cost to value of solar to time-varying or location-based rates.”

The NCCETC notes that, for the second quarter in a row, utility proposals to increase residential fixed charges were the most common type of solar policy and rate design action. The report says all 10 residential fixed charge decisions made during Q3’16 granted utilities at least a partial increase, with utilities receiving on average 53% of their requested increase. This is in contrast to Q2’16, in which most utilities were not granted any fixed charge increase, the report adds.

The report also says the top five distributed policy developments of Q3’16 were the following:

– The Arizona Corporation Commission’s delay of a decision on demand charges and net metering in the UNS Electric rate case until the state’s value of distributed generation proceeding concludes;

– The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada’s approval of a settlement agreement grandfathering in existing net-metering customers in the state;

“Overall, there’s been a shift away from abrupt changes to net-metering policies,” noted David Sarkisian, report co-author and policy analyst at the NCCETC. “More states are now conducting valuation studies and stakeholder proceedings, implementing pilot programs, and proposing gradual changes, rather than enacting drastic changes to net metering.”

Comments

Why aren’t utilities supplying credits for individuals willing to invest in solar generation as opposed to seeking ways to make this more expensive and penalize them? Why are governments not insisting that credits be supplied? They should be embracing solar as one of the key renewables in mitigating rapid climate change. We are moving in the completely wrong direction.

How is Germany treating solar investments? I doubt they are penalizing individual financial investment in renewables.

The issues are clear. Utilities run by investor based support have a vested interest in keeping profits high. Despite clear and irrefutable proof that solar reduces utility costs, the fear is that if it is incentivized too much, the utility will not be able to integrate this additional power sensibly, and that it could affect their control of voltage health per region. They assume that they will need fewer voltage boosters, cutting into profits they get from buying equipment. In addition, voltage health might cause corporate customers to ask for cuts in their rates, meaning more court battles that go to rate increases or losses to investors. It is fear mongerong, myth, and perhaps a few areas of truth backed by facts. If they keep violating the Sherman and Clayton Acts, for sure some attorney is going to plow the field with them. THEY are guilty!!! But it is up to state legislatures and Congress to decide what they can get away with as a public utility. Since 1978 that has been a LOT! That is why having a strong FERC leader is going to be obligatory for the next President. We shall see how it plays out.